Stage a debate to shake up your next meeting

Put some life into your next meeting by setting up a debate
between two employees or guests. Playing the role of advocate
spurs debaters to sharpen their ideas and presentations, and it
enthuses the audience as well. A few tips for setting the stage:
• Pick an issue. Almost any issue with clear alternatives will
work. For example:

• Which new product or service to develop

• Which way to carry out a department procedure

• Which way to solve a moral or ethical dilemma

• Which way to appeal to a key customer or market

• Which new policy or strategy to adopt

• Pick a format. For example, give each side a certain amount
of time (say, 10 minutes) to present its ideas. Then each side
gets a chance to rebut the other’s suggestions. The audience
decides the winner—or can take ideas from both sides. Have
white boards or large notepads on hand to capture main
points.
• Pick advocates carefully. Choose subject matter experts—or
employees who need practice in research and persuasion.
Explain the format you’ve chosen, and give them enough
time to prepare—the more complicated the topic, the longer
they’ll need.
• Be a good moderator. Present the issue to the audience,
introduce the debaters, and keep the candidates within their
time limits. Encourage questions from the audience, so that
each side’s ideas are fully understood and discussed. If
disputes break out, remind all that they are in fact on the
same team and have the same goal—reaching a good
decision together.